Flu and cold season is upon us! It is not only the weak, but even the most hearty that can be forced to bed with coughing, sniffling, aches, and fever. This undesirable glitch in our plans is such an inconvenience for busy people like us! Thankfully there are excellent doctors and numerous modern medicines to ease the discomforts of our maladies and promote healing. This was not always the case.

Remedies from an old time drug store

Looking back in time often stimulates thankfulness. Recently we had an auction that featured relics from an old drugstore. As is my usual practice before an auction, I meandered through the Event Center to peruse the tables of neatly presented items. I imagined the sick from a time gone by seeking relief and healing from potions and syrups mixed in mortars and poured into beautifully colored bottles that lined the shelves of an old time pharmacy. These mysterious concoctions likely provided some relief, yet there was so much more they could not do.

Through the ages people have suffered in numerous ways. Our bodies are weak and over time we will each succumb to some sort of disease or malfunction. But even those who are healthy in body have other types of ailments. These are not ailments that old or new tonics can cure. They are of much greater concern because they can damage our minds and affect our thinking and our outlook on life. These emotional and psychological wounds shape how we look at God, others, and ourselves. Broken hearts of this type often lead to confused thinking, and there is no beautiful glass bottle filled with old time or modern medicine that can heal these.

Remedies for broken hearts

But there is a prescription that will do just the trick. The Greatest Physician ever known prescribes it. He, the Lord our God, understands the workings of every heart and the devastations that sin can cause. He provides the power to be healed if we are willing to let Him transform and renew our minds.

Are you dealing with a heart of pride? Take a dose of Humility. Are you down with a heart of jealousy? Slather it with a heavy coating of Love. Burdened with a heart of lies? Try two tablespoons of Truth. Are you aching with a heart of disbelief? Try a healthy cup of Faith. A heart of mourning? Spread the Oil of Gladness on it. And do you struggle with a heart of fainting? God prescribes a regular diet of Praise!

If you are sick with the common cold or the flu, then a trip to the doctor and a modern remedy will likely do the trick. But if you are dealing with a broken heart that has infected your mind, then the Great Physician is the One to prescribe the medication you need. It’s not a sweet syrup found in a beautiful glass bottle or capsules filled with curative powder. It is an old-fashioned health-giving balm activated by a transformed mind. Try God’s healing prescription today! It can make all the difference in the world.

Love,

Mama

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Luke 16:14-15 “Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, were listening to all these things and were scoffing at Him. And He said to them, ‘You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts; for that which is highly esteemed among men is detestable in the sight of God.’”

Have you ever made a judgment call only to realize after the fact that you got it all wrong? I have and it was a costly mistake.

Two Paintings and a Big Mistake

The Berkeley Hunt by Francis Calcraft Turner

Many years ago I acquired at an auction two paintings of great interest to me. I have always loved horses so these pictures of “The Hunt” were right up my alley. The pawing horses, baying hounds, and genteel riders dressed in red suits and black helmets continually captured my attention. They drew me into the excitement of the chase every time I saw them.

Despite my great love of these pieces of art I realized I really had no place for both paintings, so I decided to sell one of them at a garage sale. After debating for quite some time I chose the one I thought the best and tagged the other one to be taken to the sale with all my other unneeded items.

At the last minute I decided I had priced the painting too high and lowered it from five dollars to three. Satisfied that I had made a good bargain I dropped everything off and waited to hear how well I had done with all my merchandise.

Later that evening my friend shared that everything had sold, but the painting, especially, had been snapped up in a moment. The ecstatic buyer happily declared upon checking out that she was thrilled to find such a fine piece of artwork for a mere pittance. Later when Dad looked at the artwork I had kept he gave me devastating news. This painting was not worth anything at all. In fact, it was simply a paint-by-number probably purchased at a local convenience store! I had sold the real work of art for just a few measly dollars and kept the imitation for my own pleasure.

Only God Can Judge the Heart

Pharisees were the religious leaders of Jesus’ day. People looked at them with their fine clothes, superior knowledge of the Scriptures, and important status and esteemed them greatly. But Jesus saw into their hearts. These men loved their high position and used it to their advantage to control people and gain wealth. They didn’t care about serving God, but only themselves. God knew the evil ulterior motives that lurked underneath the spotless robes and pious looks and He was disgusted.

Often we judge people by the things we consider important. Financial success, while not a sin in itself, can become the template we use to assess someone’s personal worth. But God is not looking for those dressed in high dollar clothes and driving expensive cars. He is looking for anyone who is willing to serve Him wholeheartedly wherever He places them, no matter the cost. This is played out by how well we love others.

When it comes to art, I learned my lesson many years ago. Don’t make a judgment call on a painting’s worth with only a quick outward look. But we must learn an even more crucial lesson: do not esteem people based on the world’s standards of success. Instead look to the Lord for wisdom. Only He can see deep into a person’s heart. Without His guidance we won’t be able to differentiate between a fine painting of great worth and an everyday paint-by-number.

2 Peter 1:5-7 “Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love.”

Dear Kids:

A True Test of Character

John Wooden, one time head coach at UCLA, said, “Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are . . . the true test of a man’s character is what he does when no one is watching.”

I pulled up to the drive-through window at the bank, opened my window and slid my deposits into the plastic tube. That’s when I noticed her. Sitting in a sedan in the next lane sat a woman who looked to be in her 60s. She was waiting for the teller to send her banking paperwork back through the tunnel system to her car. While most people sit and wait quietly, this lady was very obviously listening to her favorite tunes. Though I couldn’t hear the music I could tell because her head was bobbing and her mouth was moving. Every once in a while she would break out into a car-sitting dance move. I couldn’t help but chuckle as I wondered if this young at heart grandma had any idea someone was watching!

The kinds of things you do when no one else is around are the very things that paint the real picture of who you are. Some look over their shoulder before scrolling through pornography on the web. Others may take something that is not theirs or cheat on a test or their taxes. Yet there are many who pick up trash because it needs to be done or who help someone in need without any thought for reward.

Diligent Faith Promotes Moral Character

Peter explains that those who belong to Christ have everything necessary – namely the very nature of God Himself – to escape the corruption of the world. Diligent faith promotes moral excellence, which leads to knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness and love. These character qualities continue to increase as one grows in the knowledge of the Savior, Jesus Christ. Living in light of these, even when no one is watching, keeps one free from stumbling and sin.

Most people don’t do certain things when they think others are watching – singing and car-dancing while waiting at the bank drive-through might be some of these behaviors. But how you respond in all areas of life when you are alone really is the true test of your character. And it may also be an indicator of whether or not you truly are one of God’s children.

Psalm 143:2 “And do not enter into judgment with Your servant, For in Your sight no man living is righteous.”

Dear Kids:

“I can’t stand her! She treated me wrongly and I am done!”

Have any of you ever said or thought these words? If you are honest I am sure that you, like me, have expressed these feelings at one time or another. Maybe a friend betrayed your trust . . . or a client did you wrong . . . or a family member pushed the wrong button one too many times. People are imperfect and regular contact affords plenty of opportunity for rubbing one another the wrong way. Hurt feelings and raw emotions sometimes get the better of us. But what if there were a different way of handling the situation?

Psalms: A Wonderful Bible Book

Psalms is a wonderful book. Located near the middle of the Bible; its pages are filled with hymns and prayers from a number of different writers. For centuries many have found great comfort by peeking into the thoughts and emotions of those long gone. God, in His wisdom, chose to share with us the deepest feelings of some of His children in order to help us process our own struggles correctly and find comfort in time of need.

Recently, while reading Psalm 143, I was struck by the passion with which David cried out to God for deliverance and guidance. An enemy was persecuting his soul and the descriptive words seem to suggest that his circumstances may have brought on anxiety and depression. I can almost imagine this man at the end of his rope uttering, “I can’t stand this enemy! He is treating me wrongly and I am done!”

But even as David cried out to God for help he also prayed that God would not judge him for his own sins. He recognized that he was a sinner and needed God’s mercy and that no man is righteous in God’s sight. Later David expressed his trust and understanding of God’s lovingkindness, faithfulness, and righteousness. He belonged to the Lord, asked for deliverance, and found refuge in Him. He did not take matters into his own hands, but waited for the Lord to act.

Venting Emotions to God

When an irritating person – maybe even an enemy – has gone too far, we can go straight to the Lord with our complaints. Just as the Psalmist vented all his emotions, we too can call upon the Lord in our distress. But it is important to remember that no one is righteous in God’s sight apart from Jesus – not even you! Everyone needs forgiveness. Thankfully, God doesn’t remember us according to our sin, but according to His mercy.

Don’t take matters in your own hands. Ask the Lord to help you see things differently or to intervene when the situation warrants it. And maybe, instead of being done with the person, you will find you can forgive as the Lord has forgiven you.

I love my job! I get to know interesting people and often hear stories of times gone by. Just yesterday an older couple stopped in to see me at our office. They are regular auction goers and we have become acquainted over the years.

Human Nature Stays the Same

While helping them with business we had a very pleasant conversation. They told me about their growing up years in the 30s and 40s and how different life was back then. During the conversation Mr. Rhoads told me a humorous story from his childhood. This particular story proved to me that human nature has not changed throughout history.

Many years ago Kenny and his brother, Bud, were given the job of planting beans in their father’s field. They were each given a large box of seeds, which they were responsible to plant into neat rows. This was an important job because their family relied on the produce from their garden for food throughout the year. Kenny tied his seed bag around his waist and set to work on his rows. But Bud had a better idea.

After working in the sun for a few minutes he decided to sit down under the nearest tree and rest. Kenny reminded him that time was getting short, but Bud just whiled the time away in peaceful relaxation. Finally Kenny finished his part of the job and started home. Bud got up to follow him.

“What are you going to do with the rest of your bean seeds? Kenny asked.

“Don’t worry about that. I have a plan,” Bud said.

He moved a flat rock that was sitting at the edge of the field, dumped all of the bean seeds on the ground, and covered them up with the rock. Feeling smug, he and Kenny went home.

Sins of Youth Given Away

A few weeks later their father came to them asking about the field because only Kenny’s half was producing plants. When questioned, Bud made the excuse that his bean seeds must have been deficient. But his lie was given away. For when their father visited the field to take a closer look he noticed that out from underneath the flat rock where Bud had hidden his seeds, bean plants were growing profusely.

Somehow, human nature causes many to think their sins can be hidden. But God knows all of our secrets. They are not hidden from Him. Thankfully He is a gracious God. That is why the Psalmist in today’s verse prayed that God would not remember the sins of his youth, but remember him according to His mercy.

Kenny, Pat, and I laughed at the memory from years ago. Much has changed from those days. Most of us don’t need to rely on our gardens for our yearly sustenance, but other things have stayed the same. We are all still sinners and God is still a merciful God.

Zechariah 1:3 “This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Return to me, ‘declares the Lord Almighty, ‘and I will return to you,’ says the Lord Almighty.”

Dear Kids:

I have always loved the autumn season. The evenings get cooler, the crisp air tingles your nose, and summer fruit trees are ready for harvest. On recent evenings Apache and I have taken a relaxing walk around our fields (well, I relax and walk while she runs). We follow a path that Dad mows around the perimeter of the property. It is especially fun this year because we are hedged in by tall corn.

The stalks create a barrier from the world where I can retreat and get lost in my thoughts. Apache, on the other hand, darts here and there. Hurtling full speed down the long grassy runway to the road, she abruptly stops short and disappears into the corn. After what seems like quite a few minutes I stop and call for her. Soon I can hear the crashing as she returns to me with tail wagging and tongue lolling. I pat her head, release her, and off she goes again. I do not keep her on a leash because she comes when I call!

Often God’s people stop listening for their Master’s voice and get themselves into deep trouble. Time and again the children of Israel would forge their own path, forgetting to Whom they belonged and the commands that He gave them. They worshiped idols and other false gods while living lives that were not in keeping with God’s ways. Their disobedience caused them great grief when God had to get their attention through trouble and trials.

Yet through it all God continued to call them back through His prophets. Zechariah pleaded with the people to heed God’s voice. “This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Return to me, ‘declares the Lord Almighty, ‘and I will return to you,’ says the Lord Almighty.” In order to enjoy God’s favor and blessing again the people needed to return to Him wholeheartedly. This was the way home.

So often, like Apache, we tear off into the corn as we live our lives. We run on ahead of our Master, thoughtlessly darting here and there seeking to find fulfillment in self-pleasure, growing bank accounts, rising status, peer recognition, and burgeoning careers. These become our idols and what we live for, though in them there is no lasting satisfaction. In our pursuit we miss the voice of our Father. He wants us to come back! He loves us and longs to bless us, so he continues to call.

Do you hear the Master calling? “Return to Me and I will return to you.” What is your response?

Our minds and bodies can adapt to a lot. This can be a very good thing since we can’t always choose our surroundings. But it can also create the tremendous danger of deadened senses.

Deadened Senses Bring Trouble

Every day you will come across situations where you will need to make a decision. The world is full of vices that are not healthy – what God calls sin. It may be tempting to dabble in these as you face them on a daily basis. Your mind will give you the age old excuse: “I need to know about this so I can make informed decisions.” At first, these vices may be shocking and you will feel great horror at the wickedness that you see and hear around you. But over time you will develop deadened senses and that is when your trouble begins.

The other day our company was having our fire alarm system tested. I was quietly sitting at my desk while the repair man ran his diagnostic tests in the other room. Suddenly, without any warning, a screeching sound pierced the air penetrating my ears and caused me to jump out of my seat. I grimaced and clasped my head tightly as I was sure one of my eardrums had been broken. For what seemed like quite a few minutes the blinding lights and shrieking siren continued. But a strange thing happened! After I got over my initial shock of this huge disruption, my body adjusted to the lights and sound. All of sudden the harshness wasn’t as painful as the first blast had been. Soon the noise stopped, but if it had continued for too long my ears could have been damaged.

This is the way it is with things of the world. The first time you watch a movie with foul language your whole body may grimace. But soon the obscenities will not sound so bad. Over time you may even slip and repeat one of these vulgarities in a tense situation.

The same thing will happen with immorality. The graphic love scenes so prevalent in our entertainment today will cause discomfort and embarrassment at first, but soon, with repeated viewings, these scenes will become normal and natural. The usual awkwardness will recede and soon even your ability to stand firm in personal tempting circumstances will dissipate.

Avoid Every Kind of Evil

When Adam and Eve ate the fruit from the forbidden tree they thought they would gain great knowledge – and they did. The problem was that they did not have the moral ability to use the information wisely. Today we also struggle with this. The things we come in contact with can affect us greatly. The Bible tells us to avoid every kind of evil. While we cannot fully extract ourselves from the things of this world, we must be careful to guard our hearts and minds carefully. If we allow them too much exposure to harmful vices they can adapt to the stimuli around them, develop deadened senses, and cause great harm.

So next time you hear the alarm go off because you find yourself in a situation that is not pleasing to God, find a way to make your exit as quickly as possible. Because if you don’t your heart and mind will adjust. And before you know it your senses will be deadened, your decision making skills will suffer and you will find yourself in a very dangerous and harmful situation.

There are certain things a person can never quite get rid of. These particular habits are often the byproduct of our childhood and become ingrained in our minds. These peculiarities sometimes come out at the craziest of times if we are not paying attention.

An Unexpected Regression to Childhood

The other day Abigail and I were having a conversation when suddenly Abigail burst into peals of laughter. We had been reminiscing over a particular TV show we had recently watched together and I had repeated a monologue given by one of the main characters. The words spilled effortlessly from my lips with a spot-on New York/New Jersey accent causing the unexpected eruption of laughter. I am not usually a very good mimic, but these words flowed effortlessly because they were spoken with the accent of my childhood.

Over the years my speech has changed and conformed more to the Ohio dialect where I have lived for 25 years. But every once in a while, when I am not expecting it, dog becomes dawg and water becomes wauter.

This particular phenomenon of regression can easily happen to Christians, too. When we accept Christ we become God’s child and everything changes for us. We become new creatures with a new way of thinking, living, and talking. Our sins have been forgiven and buried in the deepest sea. Our lives reflect our new family and our new heavenly home.

But while we are still here on earth the old mindsets and patterns of living can easily resurface when we are not careful. We can get so caught up in our every day affairs that we forget to make our heavenly Father the center of our lives. Soon we have slipped back into using our old “accent” from our previous life. This is the reason it is so important to “consider your ways.”

Haggai, the Prophet Encourages Israel

Haggai, an Old Testament prophet, had to remind the children of Israel of this very thing. They had returned from exile to their home in Jerusalem and had started rebuilding the temple, the building that represented God’s presence in their community. Discouragement caused them to set the building project aside and focus on their own homes and businesses. Soon they forgot to Whom they belonged. God was displaced as the center of their lives and this left them open to sin.

Fortunately, the Israelites heeded Haggai’s message and did consider their ways. They gave God the reverence He was due by obeying and started working again on the temple project. In short order they finished the job and restored appropriate worship. God was pleased, promised to be with them, and restored many blessings they had missed out on by displacing Him.

Old Habits Die Hard – Consider Your Ways

Old habits die hard! While Abigail and I got a good laugh out of my childhood accent creeping back so easily into my speech, it is no laughing matter when the sinful patterns of our life before knowing Christ make an appearance and threaten to rule our lives. That’s why every day we must carefully “consider our ways” to make sure old habits and peculiarities don’t resurface. Consider your ways. As God’s children we have been given a new life and a new home. Let’s work hard not to let the world’s “accent” creep back in.

Whenever you get one thing under control it seems that a number of other things pop up to take its place. This happens in all areas of life especially in dealing with sin.

Apache alert and ready to chase bunnies on the bike path.

Do you remember the summer nights when we would sleep with the windows open and hear coyotes down at the creek? The lonesome howling would send shivers up my spine. We were so careful to shut the chickens up safely in their pen, as well as all the other livestock that needed to be protected. Well, I haven’t heard the shrill barking recently. It seems hunters have taken care of this problem. But now we have other issues!!

The Disappearance of Coyotes Created Other Problems

With the disappearance of the coyotes, our newest problem has become bunnies. I know that bunnies are cute and harmless, but they replicate quickly, and a whole swarm of them have taken over the fields around our house. Every day I count numerous babies crossing the road and darting into the corn. And those are only the ones I see.

My morning walks have become a regular tug of war with Apache as she becomes alert to every movement in the brush beside the bike path. The tug of the chase is in her blood, and it has taken all my strength to keep her under control sometimes. Needless to say, my walks are not very relaxing. Of course, the muscles in my left arm has gotten much stronger!

It got me to thinking how we often pay attention to “big sins” in our life. We know we shouldn’t murder, commit adultery, or steal, and often we feel we have gotten those “coyote sins” under control. But unbeknownst to us, our “small sins” start reproducing and take over our life. These are things like greed, jealousy, unjust criticism, bad attitudes, self-centeredness, gossip, gluttony . . . the list could go on and on. Somehow these sins are comfortable, soft and cute, like the little bunnies. They become familiar, and we don’t see them as a problem.

But they are!!

Sin is sin!

It needs to be dealt with . . . and often with RADICAL measures.

RADICAL Measures for Dealing with Sin

Reading God’s Word – God convicts us through the Bible. “For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)

Alertness – Our adversary, the devil, longs to trip us up. “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)

Determination – We must determine to obey fully all that God says. “Give me understanding, that I may observe Your law and keep it with all my heart.” (Psalm 119:34)

Inclining Your Ear – Listen for God’s voice. “Now, therefore, put away the foreign gods which are in your midst, and incline your hearts to the Lord, the God of Israel.” (Joshua 24:23)

Confession – “He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion.” (Proverbs 28:13)

Accountability – “Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed.The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.” (James 5:16)

Longevity– The plan needs to be for life. “Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes, and I shall observe it to the end.” (Proverbs 119:33)

Walking with Apache down a road hopping with little bunnies is not always enjoyable. Experience has taught me I need to stay alert if I don’t want to be yanked off my feet.

Likewise, sin of all types can take you unawares. Make sure you don’t get lax thinking you have life under control just because you don’t hear any howling coyotes. Instead, put these RADICAL measures in place, and nothing, not even seemingly harmless sin, will jerk you off the path God has for you.

Ezra 7:9b-10 “. . . the good hand of his God was upon him. For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the Lord and to practice it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel.”

Dear Kids:

Leadership is a highly sought after position. We dream about it, spend hours preparing for it, and train our children to achieve it. Often we ruthlessly push our way forward, trampling anyone who gets in our way. Recently Abigail observed that many who call themselves leaders are really just bossy individuals who like to be up front and in charge. So what really makes a good leader anyway?

Powerful Traits of a Good Leader

A Forbes.com article suggests a number of powerful traits of successful leaders. These include such things as: self-management, strategic thinking, effective communication, goal setting, and flexibility, to name a few. All of these are crucial to successful leadership. But when it comes to Christian leadership there are a other necessary traits to become the type of leader God desires.

Ezra, a good example of a strong and godly leader, exhibited many of the Forbes.com traits, but he also had something else going for him. This priest and scribe returned to Jerusalem from Babylon where he led the people of Israel in a much-needed religious reform. He was very successful not only because he was good at self-management, communication, and many other leadership skills, but mostly because God was with him.

Scattered throughout his book Ezra gives credence to the fact that “the hand of God was upon me.” This benefit caused Artaxerxes, the king of Babylon, to grant all Ezra’s requests. God’s hand gave protection over 900 miles of travel. It strengthened him when times got hard. It provided a strong support staff for all that needed to be done. It provided protection and deliverance from enemies and ambushes his group faced along the way.

God’s hand upon Ezra’s life was not something that just happened haphazardly; God chose this man to be a leader, but Ezra determined to do things God’s way. He didn’t force his way into the presence of King Artaxerxes and demand that he be put in charge. He didn’t summon up all the force of his personality and trample on others to get his way. Instead he devoted himself to three things.

Preparation to be a Spiritual Leader

First, Ezra prepared himself by carefully studying the law of the Lord. In order to be a good spiritual leader he needed to be well versed in what God commanded. Secondly, he humbled himself in order to personally obey all God expected. Only then did this leader attempt to teach others what God’s call for them was. This humble servant-like attitude is the reason that God’s hand was upon him. And these were the reasons for his successful leadership.

In today’s world everyone is striving to be a leader. Even within a church setting our goals are often to be up front teaching, leading worship, and making decisions. These are not bad desires but our way of realizing them is crucial. Successful leadership is not solely dependent on our personality, giftings, or ability to get things done. True successful leadership can only be realized when God’s hand is upon us. Like Ezra, we must set our hearts to study God’s Word, determine to live it, and then out of the overflow we will be able to humbly and successfully lead others.